'Godly Character"

God is trying to grow character in us! We need to be people of great character and I don't mean "be a character!" Character is tried integrity. It is being sound in upright behavior with honesty and sincerity. In other words, it is doing right, with the right attitude no matter what! Character is what produces hope in an individual (Rom. 5:3-4).

Sometimes people are harsh and rude. When one is that way, that reveals their character. Sometimes people have 'smart mouths' and that is a revealing of their character. People are put in situations and they will cheat when no one is looking. That's their character. I've seen in the church where unloving and harsh men are placed in leadership roles (such as an eldership). Servants of the Lord are to be gentle and respectable in their behavior (I Tim. 3). That's their character. Jesus makes no one 'smart mouthed', mean or nasty!!

The danger that exists is many times people cannot discern a person of godly character from a person of charm. Dale Carnegie made loads of money with charm! Absalom stole the hearts of Israel over his father David because of his charm (II Sam. 16). People follow someone who is charming and smooth and the become blinded to the honest evaluation of their true character. We seem to have great difficulty distinguishing true, godly character and a person with an outgoing personality!

God's word warns to watch out for those with "...smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting." (Rom. 16:18). Paul made absolutely certain he was "not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God." (II Cor. 4:2) Many people can have charm about them, but no godly character. Preachers are favored because the man is exciting or has a great personality. That can blind people to the character of the man. I was attending an assembly where the congregation just loved their preacher (which I was thankful they do.) They spoke of his delivery and his sermons. I listened and it didn't take long to realize, he was a professional entertainer!! He told stories at the right time to move the emotions and was great at holding ones attention, but had little application to God's word. When he used the word, it was often misused! He was charming but had no character. Someone asks, "How do you know?" A man of character will be honest placing God first and foremost, using His word to create faith and not rely on their speaking ability!!!

Salesmen, con-men have to be charming and lovable! They are trying to take people in. Character is discipline. Character has a purpose. Character is what makes one do right in the difficult situations. Character makes one follow through with their word. Character will not compromise God and His ways. Character is not rude, hateful or mean. Character can be 'tough' when it needs to be and can make calls in difficult situations but it will be tempered with godly love. It takes godly character to preach the truth, to stand for right. True Christianity is about character. Character is gained by persevering in difficult situations and God uses those difficulties to build His character in each of us.